Trendspotting: Typographic decor accessories

1 Alphabet platesAn alphabet plate makes a wonderful serving platter or
hostess gift.
Alphabet Tidbit plates, Pottery Barn, $7 each.2 Striped napkinsPersonalize linen napkins for a
bridal shower gift, making the bride and groom's dining table look extra special at their next
dinner party.
Monogrammed Beachport striped napkins in Navy and Red, Mark and Graham, $62 per each set of 4. 3 Holiday ornamentGift each family member with their own monogramed
ornament. Not only will they feel special hanging it on their
Christmas tree, but they'll keep it for years to come.
Monogram A-Z ornament in white, Indigo, $10.4 Alphabet letter coastersPerfect for a
stylish at-home bar, these alphabet letter coasters are a great host gift especially at a
cocktail party.
Alphabet letter coasters, John Derian Company, $45 US each.5 Crystal decanterA monogrammed crystal
decanter makes a wonderful
wedding gift or anniversary present.
Monogrammed short crystal decanter, Mark and Graham, $226.6 Toss cushion coversAdd some fun to
your
living room sofa or
bedroom chair with with some colourful
toss cushions.
Toss cushion covers, Kailey Hawthorn, $34 USD each.7 Porcelain sculptureGive your
fireplace mantle, home office desk or bedroom
side table a pop of colour with a sculpture like this ampersand design from Inter-Continental Mercantile.
Rosanna porcelain To The Letter "&" sculpture, Inter-Continental Mercantile, $15.

Small Spaces

5 small space myths

Small space myth 1: Don't use large furniture.
There's this strange myth out there that if you use large furniture in a small space, it will eat up the room. This can be true if you try to stuff a large bedroom set in a 10'x10' room, but you can still introduce large pieces in small quantities. Don't want to give up your queen-sized bed? Instead, cut back on other pieces like large armoires and bulky side tables. Your big bed will become a beautiful focal point in the room.

Photography by Kim Christie

Small space myth 2: Only use neutrals.
Sure, white walls can make a small room look airy, but don't limit yourself to just neutrals. The bedroom above (in a small Vancouver condo) has sandy walls, but also includes an artistic chalkboard wall. Pops of colour in the cushions bring life to the space and do anything but make it feel smaller.

Photography by Michael Graydon

Small space myth 3: They always look cluttered.
There's no need to get rid of all your 'stuff' just because you live in a small space -- just make sure you have savvy storage spaces. The teeny bathroom above has full cabinetry underneath the sink, but features sliding doors to keep things looking sleek. Thin glass shelves above the toilet neatly hold items that are frequently used so they're always at the ready.

Photography by Stacey Brandford

Small space myth 4: Avoid patterns.
Much like the myth of sticking to one focal point, many of us are scared to use pattern in a room in fear that it will look too busy. The living space above uses seven different patterns and they all blend together to create a cohesive space. The key is to use a similar colourway -- each of the patterns either use a neutral or the coral colour used on the walls.

Photography by Sue Stubbs

Small space myth 5: Stick to one bold focal point.
Many designers advise that you choose one eye-catching piece when decorating for a small space to avoid an overwhelming look, but this isn't always the case. The dining room above incorporates a bright feather wreath with a gorgeous natural stone fireplace and a Floyd Paxton pendant light. Even though each is a showstopper in their own right, the mix of one bright colour with neutrals ensures they work seamlessly together.

12 products inspired by Pantone’s 2017 Colour of the Year

Colour

12 products inspired by Pantone’s 2017 Colour of the Year

Enliven your living space with this vibrant and refreshing green shade.

Welcoming cheerful hues into your home is one of the best ways to fend off the winter blues – and Pantone's colour institute agrees. The company recently named "Greenery" its official colour of 2017. The vibrant and uplifting shade signifies rejuvenation and the importance of connecting with nature, especially as we welcome a new year.

Here, we've rounded up 12 products inspired by the shade that will give your home new life.

Small Spaces

A once dark and dated condo is revamped to reflect its owners' passion for art and travel

A designer brings serenity to a condo belonging to a pair of lifelong art collectors.

Incorporating art collections into interiors can be tricky for designers. They need to honour the works while delivering a design that reflects the lifestyle and decor preferences of their clients. Ultimately, the result should express the taste and passion of the collectors.

The owners of this Toronto condo devoted three decades to scooping up art and objets – particularly Asian, African and Canadian pieces – on their travels around the world. The beloved treasures, along with a lifetime’s worth of stuff in general, were starting to encroach on their space, which had other issues: A wall divided the kitchen from the living room, creating a jail-like atmosphere for the person prepping meals; the kitchen itself was shabby; and the two bathrooms were in equally rough shape.

“Dark, cluttered and dated” is how designer Anne Hepfer describes the state of the original 1,500-square-foot condo, which she had completely gutted and opened up. Fortunately, the unit had one redeeming quality: a row of large south-facing windows.

While Anne’s clients can pick out an Inuit carving in a flash, when it comes to decorating, they’re stumped. “Over the years, we’ve bought many things that were just poor choices,” says one of the homeowners. “I would highly recommend hiring a designer because it actually saves money.” That said, the vintage kilims they brought back from Morocco and the Middle East, boasting pale pink, soft grey and earthy brown hues, served as the starting point for the condo’s palette, proving to be one of the homeowners’ better purchases. Anne made toss cushions out of these textiles (“They add an exotic flourish,” she says) and then, to really up the ante, turned to the drama of the runway. “I looked to Italian fashion designer Brunello Cucinelli’s elegant use of neutrals, which translates so beautifully to interiors,” says Anne. She also accented the space with hits of black for contrast and mixed metals for sparkle.

As in Brunello Cucinelli’s collections, a thread of understated luxury stitches the rooms together: a vintage French chest in the entryway, a quartet of plush pink club chairs in the living area and a headboard upholstered in Kelly Wearstler fabric in the master bedroom, to name a few. As for the homeowners’ vast art collection? Anne worked her magic, thoughtfully layering items in the form of vignettes, creating special moments throughout the condo.

The vintage French chest, gilded mirror and sea urchin-patterned chairs make for a stunning welcome in the entryway, especially when paired with the gorgeous parquet that extends throughout the open-concept condo. Instead of sending the flooring to a landfill, designer Anne Hepfer had it refinished because it was in great shape.

The living room boasts two sitting areas: one with a soft grey linen sofa and two armchairs and the other with four velvety pale pink chenille swivel club chairs, all designed by Anne herself. “I love incorporating natural materials into a space because it lends an earthy element,” she says.

The small kitchen features a practical back-painted glass backsplash and Caesarstone countertops. Anne ripped out the wall that separated the kitchen from the living room and installed a bar-height counter to open up the space.

The master bedroom has a cocoon-like vibe thanks to its monochromatic mix of textures and patterns.

The vintage nightstand was given a coat of warm grey paint, which perfectly complements the artwork by David Fisher.

Evoking a casual feel, the den is decked out with an antique desk and a chaise that’s perfect for watching TV.

“I really love how this project evolved,” says Anne. “It was a joy, putting together the pieces of the puzzle, editing and using a lot of restraint.” The easiest thing she could have done, of course, was store it all and start fresh, but that wouldn’t have been an authentic way to honour this professional couple’s passion for art and travel. “Including my clients’ unique collection into the design,” says Anne, “makes the space personal, warm, inviting – and theirs.”